BEAUTY: 45 TOP BUDGET BUYS
Local names in the beauty biz dish on their favourite buys under R500.
1 MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, R250
When I have to dress to impress or am just feeling down, on goes my signature Ruby Woo – and instantly, it looks like I’ve made an effort. It can be drying, so moisturise your lips before application.
2
Blistex DCT
Lip Protectant, R79,95
I swear by this super-moisturising lip balm – it lives in my handbag. I love lipsticks with drying matte formulas, so it’s important that I keep my lips conditioned. I exfoliate them weekly as well to help the lip balm; it tingles a bit once applied – which, for me, is a sign that it’s working!
3 Maybelline Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter in Dark, R1430 This is the best highlighter I’ve used in years: it’s not too intense and goes with my complexion. After applying foundation I glide it over my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, my chin, and below and above my brows. I blend furiously and voila! – a fabulous glow that lasts the entire day.
4
ORS Olive Oil Wrap/Set Mousse, R99
I relax my hair every five weeks, so to prevent it from drying out further, I stay away from heat styling. I let it dry naturally and set it in the style I prefer (a bun). This mousse helps keep the style in place and my strands moisturised.
I apply it in the evenings before wrapping my hair in a silk doek.
5
Eucerin Sun Fluid Mattifying SPF 50+, R239,99
Sunscreen is the last layer after my skincare routine every morning. But finding one that works for black skin is a task – this one doesn’t give you that blue ‘cricketer’s’ tinge, andhasalightformulation for very oily skin. 6 NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, R159,95 This foundation has great coverage and is buildable without looking overdone.
7
Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Blush, R130
I love that the Stay Matte range is long-wearing and has the greatest selection of nudes and pinks.
8
Skin Republic Brightening Vitamin C mask, R42 This mask is brilliant when you need to give your skin a glow after spending too much time in the sun, or to recover from a really stressful week.
9
Maybelline Big Shot Colossal Mascara in Black, R149
One of my all-time favourite mascaras, this produces an amazing va-va-voom lash effect!
10
LA Girl Pro Conceal, R62
Iaminlove with LA Girl’s concealers; they work like a charm.
11
Burt’s Bees
Lip Shimmer, R99 Praise be, this iconic all-natural range is finally available in South Africa. I’m obsessed with the tinted lip balm – moisturising, minty in flavour and, unlike many tinted balms, a solid colour that lasts. I rate the Fig and Guava for colour. Plus it’s mega affordable.
12
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara, R310
I’m a huge Urban Decay fan
– it’s edgy and affordable. The Perversion mascara gives banging volume and lengthens lashes – and doesn’t make my eyes burn or end up halfway down my face after heated yoga. Bonus.
13
Oway Frequent Use Hair & Scalp Bath, R360 Honestly, the best shampoo I’ve ever used (even though they call it a ‘scalp bath’), plus it’s organic. As someone who exercises every day (job perk/downfall!) I wash my hair often. When this product landed on my desk a few months ago, it became a game-changer. And I love the packaging: slick, chic and eco-friendly.
14
Smashbox LA Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Colour Stick, R390
To know me is to know I love a double-duty product. There’s nothing worse than a jam-packed makeup bag that spills all over your bathroom counter every morning. This Smashbox classic gives a sheen and a glow to cheeks, but also works as a lip stain. And depending on the shade you go for, that sheen can work right up into a contouring tool. A winner.
15
Epizone E Ointment, R75
It comes in a half-kilo tub, so forgive me, but it’s bliss – run a blob under the hot tap straight into your bath, or slide it on after a shower to give your limbs a light sheen. Plus it’s a stand-in for a bit of a gleam if you’re slicking back your brows or adding an accent to your cheekbones.
16
Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Concealer, R179,95
My favourite affordable concealer. It’s hydrating, offers a good amount of coverage and blends beautifully.
17
Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Moisture Mask, R249,95
This mask is soothing, hydrating and fab to keep on overnight.
18
L’Oréal Pure Red Lipstick in Julienne, R179,95
There’s no better matte formula for a bold statement lip. It is comfortable on the lips, has incredible pigment and staying power!
19
Vichy UV Protect Anti-shine
SPF 50 Cream, R285
I love the light, glowy texture of this cream. It’s great underneath makeup and provides protection from harmful UV rays. A must for your everyday skincare routine.
20
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths, R165
Fragrance-free and gentle on the skin, these cloths are an absolute favourite with dermatologists and makeup artists.
21
Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Eyeliner, R395
Another cult fave as it’s pitch black and long-wearing. It’s also relatively easy to use, especially when applied with an angled brush.
22
Smashbox Brow Tech To Go pencil and gel, R405
I love that this is a two-in-one combo: it’s a clear fixing gel too.
23
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm, R179,99
A healing ointment that I use for patients who have dry lips as a result of being on Roaccutane, and for some inflammatory conditions.
24
Cetaphil Sun
SPF 50+ Very High Protection Lotion, R336
This dermatologist-preferred sunscreen provides excellent protection against UVA and UVB rays, and it’s water-resistant.
25
SBR Lipocream, R54,95 This moisturiser is perfect for the face as it restores and maintains skin barrier function.
26
Epy Derm G, R60
A local product, this cream glides on easily and is absorbed well. It’s a good body moisturiser.
27
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Shaka Fluid SPF 50+, R260
Often when I apply sunscreen on models it gives darker skin a grey tinge – not this one! It looks great on all skin tones and is perfect for sensitive skin. It also offers both UVA and UVB protection.
28
MAC Strobe Cream, R180
This cream gives flat, tired skin a boost with vitamins and green tea, and brightens with iridescent particles and antioxidants. It adds a soft glow, just short of glittery, and is one of the most versatile products in my kit. I use it as a primer
– I mix it in with foundation
– or to highlight areas such as cheekbones, Cupid’s bow and down the centre of the nose.
29
Bobbi Brown
Pot Rouge for Cheeks and Lips, R480 This product can be used as a blush or a lip colour. It’s creamy but not sticky, can be applied with fingers and is much easier to control than a powder blusher. The colour payoff is sheer and the staying power equally impressive. For a beautiful no-makeup look, apply it on cheeks and lips, and a little over the eyelids.
30
MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil – Teddy, R280
This is one of the first MAC products I bought in the ’90s and it is still my fave eye pencil. It’s is medium brown with a smooth texture, and leaves eyes with a slight sheen. I use it as an eyeshadow for a subdued smokey eye. It really makes light eyes pop!
31
MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara, R295
The bristles on the wand of this mascara are small, so it’s ideal for lashes of different lengths. You can get to the root of every single lash, and it gives lashes definition, length and natural-looking volume.
32
NeoStrata Restore Facial Cleanser, R466 This versatile cleanser suits all skin types, including sensitive skin. It is soap-free and fragrance-free, and cleanses with gentle exfoliation, without drying or stripping skin.
33
Heliocare 360 Color Gel Oil-Free SPF 50+, R435 Heliocare gel cream is a facial foundation combined with a broadspectrum SPF 50 sunscreen. The two available colours blend with most skin tones. It saves having to use a separate foundation when you need light cover.
34
ISDIN Ureadin Podos footcare gel oil, R285 This softens and moisturises rough, dry skin in all patients, especially diabetics or the elderly. It is also great for cracked, sore feet.
35
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ R295 & Lipikar Syndet AP+, R299
A soap-free wash and moisturiser to maintain and repair the skin barrier for those with dry skin and eczema.
36
ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water (safe eye technology), R450
This lightweight broad-spectrum sunscreen has a patented ‘safe eye technology’ that doesn’t sting or burn the eyes. Ideal for athletes and children, but suitable for all skin types.
37 38
Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF 50+, R239,99
This sunscreen has everything I need and more – from the UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum, mind you) to the oil control formula.
Eau Thermale Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser, R249,95
I am sold on the K-Beauty double cleansing tip. I always wash my face with this milk cleanser before using my regular foam cleanser – this leaves my skin not only spotless but soft and nourished too, which is a plus in the winter months.
39 40
Benefit Roller Liner EyeLiner, R375
I rarely leave home without applying liquid liner to my eyes, and I have finally found my soulmate in Benefit’s Roller Liner Eyeliner. The applicator is easy to control, leaving a very small margin for error.
Sorbet BB Cream in Dark, R129
To be honest, for a long time I struggled to understand how BB cream worked – this one has definitely given me the confidence to face the world with a more natural look.
41
John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Masque, R115,95 I’ve been trying a bunch of John Frieda products for a while now and this hair mask is fab. It really does assist with frizz if your hair has been damaged by colour.
42
TheraVine Nourishing and Firming Day Cream, R479 I’ve fallen in love with this local skincare brand – I find their products light and moisturising.
43
MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Lipcolour in Dance With Me, R315
I will always love MAC’s Retro Matte Liquid Lip – it’s one of the best and lasts the entire day. So your purchase lasts longer because you’re not constantly touching up!
44
GLO makeup brush set, R450
Another awesome local find is GLO brushes – they’re so soft and I’ve loved using them. You get a FULL set for R450!